Foreword

Welcome to the proceedings of the 2025 2nd Beyond Technology Summit on Informatics International Conference (BTS-I2C). As we convene for this pivotal gathering, we stand at a critical juncture where the field of informatics—the interdisciplinary science of information processing, communication, and system design—transcends its technical foundations to become the central model of the future. This summit, underpinned by its purposeful title “Beyond Technology,” is founded on the conviction that the most profound questions raised by our digital age are not merely computational, but humanistic, ethical, and philosophical. The relentless evolution of data analytics, cyber-physical systems, artificial intelligence, and ubiquitous computing has bestowed upon us capabilities of staggering power. Yet, this summit asserts that actual progress is measured not by the sophistication of our algorithms alone, but by the wisdom with which we embed them into the fabric of society. A shared mission unites the curated research, dialogues, and collaborations presented here: to explore the expansive terrain beyond the code and the circuit. We aim to rigorously investigate how informatics principles can forge more equitable economies, foster resilient communities, deepen human understanding, and steward our planetary environment. In an era often dominated by discussions of technical specification and performance metrics, BTS-I2C serves as an essential forum to recenter the discourse on purpose, impact, and responsibility, challenging every participant to consider the enduring legacy of their work in the human story.

The theme “Beyond Technology” necessitates a deep exploration of the interfaces where informatics meets and transforms every other domain of human endeavor. It encompasses the design of humane and inclusive digital infrastructures that bridge rather than deepen societal divides. It involves creating regulatory and ethical frameworks that are as agile and intelligent as the technologies they govern, ensuring that innovation aligns with the public good. It calls for a reimagining of education, where computational thinking becomes a fundamental literacy for all citizens, empowering critical engagement with the digital world. The papers and keynote addresses in this volume delve into these complex intersections, presenting groundbreaking work on topics such as participatory AI design that involves community stakeholders in model development, informatics for climate adaptation and biodiversity conservation, privacy-enhancing technologies that rebuild digital trust, and novel computational models for understanding social dynamics and cultural heritage. Crucially, this summit emphasizes that moving beyond technology requires a fundamental shift in perspective—from viewing informatics as a tool for optimization to understanding it as a medium for co-creation and a lens for understanding complexity. It challenges researchers to develop systems that are not only intelligent but also interpretable, accountable, and aligned with nuanced human values. The discussions will grapple with the stewardship of digital public spaces, the informatics of well-being, and the role of information systems in promoting democratic resilience and global collaboration in the face of shared challenges.

It is with great enthusiasm that we present this collection of works from the 2025 BTS-I2C. The diversity and depth of the contributions—spanning theoretical informatics, applied data science, human-computer interaction, societal computing, and policy informatics—reflect a vibrant field maturing into its role as a custodian of the future. Each submission represents a conscious step away from insular technological celebration and toward responsible, context-aware innovation. We extend our deepest gratitude to the authors, peer reviewers, program committee, and organizers whose dedicated efforts have cultivated this platform for transformative exchange. To all attendees, we invite you to engage not only with the technical merit of the work but with its broader implications. Let this summit be a catalyst for partnerships that bridge disciplines and sectors, fostering a generation of informatics professionals and scholars who are as adept in ethics and design thinking as they are in programming and data analysis. As we share insights and debate pathways forward, our collective goal is clear: to harness the profound power of informatics to build a future that is not only more connected and efficient but also more just, sustainable, and profoundly human. The journey beyond technology begins with this critical conversation.

Sincerely,

Guest Editor,


Ferry Wahyu Wibowo